Railway refrigerator cars



Dec. 29, 1959 J F, KRAUSE, .R 2,918,806

RAILWAY REFRIGERATOR CARS Filed June 2e, 1957 2 sheets-snaai 1 j@ @um m 9W f f Ahys.

Dec. 29, 1959 J. F. KRAUsE, JR 2,918,806

RAILWAY REFRIGERATOR CARS Filed June 26, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

John E Krause, Jn

Aflys Eni/'ne United s111168 Patent 2,918,806 RAILWAY REFRIGERATOR CARS John F. Krause, Jr., Hammond, Ind., assignor to General American Transportation Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a

The present invention relates to railway refrigerator cars, and more particularly to such cars provided with mechanical refrigerating machines driven by internal combustion engines.

A conventional railway refrigerator car of the type noted comprises a body including a heat-insulated lading compartment in which the evaporator of the refrigerating machine is arranged and a separate machinery chamber in which the compressor of the refrigerating machine and the engine are arranged. The fuel storage tank for the engine is normally carried below the underframe of the car entirely exteriorly of the car body, because of the explosion hazard that is inherent in the storage of engine fuel, particularly propane, that is frequently employed for operating the engine, and also since refrigerated ladings are particularly subject to contamination by engine fuel in the event of loss of the fuel from the fuel storage tank.

The conventional arrangement of the fuel storage tank below the car underframe and entirely exteriorly of the car body is altogether unsatisfactory, since it is subject both to accidental injury and to tampering with by unauthorized persons, whereby the failure of the fuel supply to the engine, as a result of one of the causes stated, is a common occurrence during transit of the car.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a railway refrigerator car including a fuel storage tank chamber arranged directly in the car body, so that the fuel supply system is completely protected against accidental injury and tampering with by unauthorized persons, wherein the car is so constructed and arranged that there is no explosion hazard to the lading arrangedin the heat-insulating lading compartment thereof, and so that there is no danger of contamination of the lading, or other damage thereto, even in ther event of explosion of the fuel storage tank and burning of all of the contained fuel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a railway refrigerator car of the character noted, wherein the fuel storage tank compartment includes a tire shield alfording complete tire protection to the adjacent section of the heat-insulating wall of the lading compartment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a railway refrigerator car of improved construction and arrangement and including a lading compartment having a communicating bay disposed at one end of the car and a pair of chambers also disposed at the one end of the car and respectively positioned on opposite sides of the bay, wherein the evaporator of the refrigerating machine incorporated in the car is arranged in the bay and the condenser and the compressor of the refrigerating machine, together with the internal combustion engine in driven'relation with the compressor, are housed in one of the chambers, and the fuel storage tank for the engine is housed in the other of the chambers.

Further featuresy of the invention pertain to the partiular arrangement'of the elementsl of the railway re- ICC frigerator car, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a railway refrigerator, particularly illustrating one end thereof, embodying the present invention;

Figs. 2A and 2B are two corresponding fragmentary side elevational views of one side of the car shown in Fig. l, both illustrating a fuel storage tank chamber arranged in the one side of the car at the one end thereof and provided with a side opening communicating therewith, and respectively illustrating the side opening with f and without an associated removable reticulated side Figs. '3A and 3B are two corresponding fragmentary side elevational views of the other side of the car shown in Fig. 1, both illustrating the machinery chamber arranged in the other side of the car at the one end thereof f compartment 20 is bounded by the side walls 24' and" aud provided with a doorway communicating therewith and having a cooperating door, and respectively illustrating the door in its closed and open positions;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the one end of the car, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3A;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the one end Aof the car, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 5 5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a schematic view, similar to Fig. 4, and indicating the connection and arrangement of certain elements of the refrigerating machine and other associated apparatus incorporated in the car; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged. fragmentary View, similar to a part of Fig. 4, and illustrating a modification in the constructionv of the car with reference to the incorporation of a fire shield in the fuel storage tank chamber thereof.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, of the drawings, the railway refrigerator car 10 there illustrated and embodying the features of the present invention comprises a body 11 that is carried by an underframe, including a steel center sill 12; which underframe carries trucks, not shown, provided with track-engaging wheels. The body 11 comprises a substantially box-like wall structure including a steel floor sheet 13, a steel roof sheet 14, a pair of opposed steel end sheets 15 and 16 and a pair of opposed steel side sheets 17 and 18, as well as suitable cat-walk structure 19 carried by the roof sheet 14.

Also the body 11 comprises heat-insulating structure arranged within the wall structure and defining an elongated lading compartment 20, and also a communicating bay 21 disposed at one end of the car 10 and extending adjacent to the end sheet 15. The heat-'insulating structure also cooperates with the Wall structure to define a pair of chambers 22 and 23 also disposed at the one end of the car 10 adjacent to the end sheet 15, the chambers 22 and 23 being arranged in the respective corners of the car 10 at the one end thereof and positioned on opposite sides of the bay 21. More particularly, the chamber 22 comprises a fuel storage tank chamber and is arranged in the corner of thecar 10 adjacent to the sheets 15 and 17, while the chamber 23 comprises a machinery chamber arranged in the corner of the car 10 adjacent to the sheets 15 and 18. As best illustrated in Figs. 4 and l5, the heat-insulating structure includes a pair of side walls 24 and 25, a pair of intermediate end walls 26 and 27, a pair of intermediate side walls 28 and 29, a short end wall 30, and a long end wall, not shown. vThe lading.

25, the intermediate end walls 26 and 27 and the long end wall, not shown; while the bay 21 is bounded by the intermediate side walls 28 and 29 and the short end wall 30. Further, the heat-insulating structure includes a oor wall 31 arranged below the lading compartment 29 and the bay 21, as well as a ceiling wall 32 arranged above the lading compartment 20` and the bay 21. Accordingly, the lading compartment 20 and the bay 21 are heat-insulated with respect to the outside and to the chambers 22 and 23. Furthermore, the interior of the lading compartment 20 and the bay 21 are lined with hardwood plywood sheaths respectively carried by the interior surfaces of the walls 24, 25, etc. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the interior surfaces of the heatinsulating Walls 28, 29, 31 and 32 are respectively provided with the lining sheaths 28a, 29a, 31a and 32a. In the arrangement the heat-insulating structure, (the walls 24, 25, etc.) may be formed of any suitable thermal insulating material, such, for example, as a cellular synthetic organic resin (foamed polystyrene).

As best shown in Fig. 5, a large side opening 17a is formed in the side sheet 17 and communicating with the fuel tank storage chamber 22; which side opening 17a is normally covered by a removable side panel 33 that is suitably detachably secured to the side sheet 17. The side opening 17a in the side sheet 17 is substantially commensurate with the area of the outer side of the chamber 22; and the side panel 33 is of suitable reticulated structure. A large floor opening 13a is formed in the floor sheet 13 below the chamber 22 and communicating therewith; and a suitable oor panel 34 of substantially grid-like structure is secured in place in the floor opening 13a to the floor sheet 13. A large roof opening 14a is formed in the roof sheet 14 above the chamber 22 and communicating therewith; and a suitable root` panel 35 of substantially grid-like structure is secured in place in the roof opening 14a to the roof sheet 14. In the arrangement, the floor opening 13a is substantially commensurate with the area of the bottom of the chamber 22, and the roof opening 14a is substantially commensurate with the area of the top of the chamber 22. The panels 33, 34 and 35 are formed essentially of strong steel construction. The floor panel 34 is capable of supporting a heavy load arranged in the chamber 22, as explained more fully hereinafter; while the roof panel 35 is capable of supporting the weight of several persons who might step thereupon while working or walking upon the roof sheet 14. Accordingly, the chamber 22 is of substantially box-like configuration having six sides, only three of which are bounded by imperforate steel walls, the other three walls being o-f open construction due to the structure of the three panels 33, 34 and 35. Also, the side panel 33 is readily removable from the side sheet 17, so that a person may enter the chamber 22 through the side opening 17a; however, the side panel 33 is normally secured in place employing some locking device, not shown, so as to prevent entry by unauthorized persons into the chamber 22.

A large doorway 18a is formed in the side sheet 18 and communicating with the machinery chamber 23; which doorway 18a is provided with a cooperating door 36 suitably slidably mounted upon an associated guide,

rail 37 carried by the side sheet 1S. More particularly, the door 36 is mounted for sliding movements between closed and open positions with respect to the doorway 18, as respectively illustrated in Figs. 3A and 3B.

Referring now to Fig. 6, a refrigerating machine 33 is incorporated in the car that comprises a compressor 39, a condenser 40, a receiver 41, a heat-interchanger 42, an expansion valve 43 and an evaporator 44, and said containing a suitable charge of refrigerant, such as F12 dichlfro-dfluoromethanel. Also. an internal combustion engine 45 is arranged in driving relation with respect to the compressor 39, the engine 45 being provided with an intake manifold 46 communicating with a carburetor 47 and an exhaust manifold 48 communicating with an associated blower 49. In the arrangement the compressor 39, the condenser 40 and the receiver 41 are disposed in the machinery chamber 23, while the heat-interchanger 42, the expansion valve 43 and the evaporator 44 are disposed in the bay 21. Also, the engine 44, and its auxiliaries, as well as the blower 49, are arranged in the machinery chamber 23. A fuel storage tank 50 is yarranged in the fuel storage tank chamber 22 and is suitably connected by a fuel line 51 tot he carburetor system 47, the fuel line 51 including a cut-off valve 52 and a disengageable connector 53 that are employed for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter.

Preferably the engine 45 is of the piston-type (4 cycle- 2 cylinder) operated by propane; while the compressor 39 is of any suitable type. Accordingly, the fuel system is of the pressure-type, and may be of any suitable arrangement. As illustrated, a fan 54 is associated with the evaporator 44, and a fan 55 is associated with the condenser 40. The fan 54 is operated by a suitable motor, not shown, and circulates the storage air from the lading compartment 20 into the bay 21 and over the evaporator 44 and back into the lading compartment 20. The fan 55 and the blower 49 are operated by suitable motors, not shown, respectively connected thereto. The operation of the refrigerating machine 38 is entirely conventional and is not further described in the interest of brevity.

Again referring to Figs. 4 and 5, a platform 56 of substantially grid-like structure is arranged as a floor in the machinery chamber 23 and normally carries a movable supporting base 57 within the chamber 23, the supporting base 57 being movable into and out of the chamber 23 through the doorway 18a with the door 36 in its open position. The supporting base 57 carries a casing 58 that houses the elements 39, 40 and 41 of the refrigerating machine 3S, and also the engine 45 and its auxiliaries 47, 49, etc. Accordingly, the elements 39, 40, 41, 45, 47, 49, etc., are also supported by the base 58 and movable therewith. In the arrangement, the cut-off valve 52 closes the fuel line 51, when the engine 45 is to be removed from the chamber 23 with the base 57; and the connector 53 accommodates ready connection and disconnection of the fuel line 51 with respect to the carburetor system 47.

Again referring to Figs. 3A, 3B and 4, it is noted that the casing 58 has an air intake opening 59 formed therein that communicates with the carburetor system 47, and an air intake opening 60 formed therein that communicates with the fan 55. Also the door 36 has two air passages 61 and 62 formed therethrough that respectivelyV register withl the air intake openings 59 and 60, when the door 36 is in its closed position. Further, the casing 5S is provided with two discharge outlets 63 and 64 that respectively communicate with the discharge side of the blower 49 and with the discharge outlet of a hood, not shown, operatively associated with the condenser 40;

whereby outside air is supplied via the air intake opening..

59 into the casing 58 and therefrom into the carburetor system 47 of thev engine 45 and the exhaust gasesfrorn.

the engine 45 are discharged from the casing 5S via the discharge outlet 63 back to the outside; and whereby outside air is supplied via the air intake opening 60 into the casing 58 and therefrom to the fan 55 and then circulated over the condenser 40 and thence discharged from the casing 58 via theV discharge outlet 64 back to the outside. In turn, the two outlets 63 and 64 respectively communicate with twoy iuesY 65 and 66'r that extend through the roof sheet* 14 to the outside, when" the casing 58 occupies its normal supportedY position'in the chamber 23.

Referring again to Figs. 4 and 5, the heat-insulating wall 29 separating the bay 21 from the machinery chamber 23 comprises a stationary part having a substantiallywwe.

, tectangularhole 29b therein; and a substantially rectangular movable plug-like part 29e` cooperating with the hole 29b. More particularly, the plug 29C is also secured to the movable base 57 by a pair of upstanding members 67; and the evaporator 44 is secured to the plug 29e by a pair of brackets 68; whereby the plug 29cris movable into and out of the hole 29h as the base 58 is moved into and out of the chamber 23; and whereby the evaporator 44 is moved into and out of the bay 21 through the hole 29b as the plug 29e is mvoed into and out of the hole 29b. Further, the fan 54 is carried by the evaporator 44 and movable therewith; and a drip pan 44a is carried by the floor of the bay 21 and disposed below the evaporator 44 for the purpose of receiving drippings therefrom incident to defrosting of the evaporator 44.

As indicated in Figs. 1, 2A, 2B and 4, the fuel storage tank 50 may be supported upon a pair of blocks 69 carried by the floor panel 34; and the tank 50 is provided with a fill pipe 70 at the topend-thereof that extends upwardly through the roof panel 35 to the outside; and provided with a cap 71 on the extreme outer end thereof; whereby the tank 50 may be filled with liquid fuel from the exterior after removal of the cap 71 from the fill pipe 70.

Alternatively, instead of the storage tank 50, a suitable bank of lcylinders or bottles of liquefied petroleum gas (ordinarily propane) may be arranged in the storage tank chamber 22 and connected to the fuel line 51, these fuel cylinders being placed and removed with respect to the chamber 22 through the opening 17a, when the panel 33 is removed, as required.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the. fuel storage tank chamber 50 is completely ventilated through the three perforated panels 33, 3'4 and 35; which panels are arranged to accommodate the ready escape therethrough of fuel and the explosion products thereof in the revent of rupture of the tank 50 incident to an explosion of the fuel contained therein. More particularly, in such unusual event, the burning fuel may drop directly through the floor panel 34 to theroutside 'and the aming gasesmay readily escape through the side panel 33 and through the roofy panel 35, thereby tov provide explosion protection to the bay'21 and to the lading compartment 20. Moreover, the ready escape of the fuel from the chamber 22 in the event noted, prevents contamination of the lading arranged in the lading compartment 20.

, Referring now to Fig. 7, a modication in the construction and arrangement of the car body 11 is illustrated,

'wherein a tire shield is disposed in the vfuel storage tank chamber 22, which may take the form of two slabs v81 and 82 of` refractory material secured to the side'sheet 17- reys pectively adjacent to the heat-insulating wallss26 and 28 and of a slab 83 of refractory material secured to the inner surface of the end sheet 1S; whereby the three slabs 81, 82 and 83 arranged Within 'the`chamber'22 serve as a complete lining for the three imperforate steel walls thereof, thereby to give complete tire protection to the heat-insulating walls `2 6 and 2,8, so as further to eliminate any. possible injury to the lading in the lading compartment 420'iri the event of an explosion in the chamber 22. Tlieslab's' 81, 82 and 83 may be formedhof asbestos, or other ireproof material.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a railway refrigerator car including a body of improved construction and arrangement and provided with a heat-insulated lading compartment and a pair of chambers disposed exteriorly of the lading compartment, and incorporating a mechanical refrigerating machine provided with a compressor driven by an internal combustion engine that is provided with a fuel storage tank; wherein the evaporator of the refrigerating machine is arranged in the lading compartment, and the compressor and the condenser of the refrigerating machine, as well as the engine, are arranged in one of the chambers, and the fuel storage tank is arranged in the other of the cham- 6 bers; and wherein the other chamber is so constructed and arranged that complete explosion protection is afforded the lading compartment in the event of rupture of the tank incident to an explosion of the fuel contained therein.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a railway refrigerator car, substantially box-like wall structure including a floor and a roof and a pair of opposed end walls and a pair of opposed side walls, heatinsulating structure arranged within said wall structurey and defining an elongated lading compartment and also a communicating bay disposed at one end of said car, said heat-insulating structure also cooperating with said Wall structure to define a pair of chambers also disposed at said one end of said car, said chambers being arranged in the respective corners of said car at said one end thereof and positioned on opposite sides of said bay, a refrigerating machine includingV an evaporator arranged in said bay and both a condenser -and a compressor. ar-

` ranged in one of said chambers, means for circulating the storage air from said lading compartment into said bay ond over said evaporator and back into said lading compartment, means for circulating outside air into said one chamber and over said condenser and back to the outside, an internal combustion engine arranged in said one chamber and operativelyl connected to drive said compressor, means for supplying outside air to said engine and for discharging exhaust gases therefrom back to the outside, a vfuel tankhoused in the other of said` chambers and operatively connected to supply fuel to said engine, the one of said side wallsdisposed adjacent to said one chamber having a doorway therein affording access into said one chamber, a door carried by said one side wall and cooperating with said doorway, the other of said side walls disposed adjacent to said other chamber having a large opening therein communicating with said other chamber, a perforated side panel carried lby said other side wall and covering said side opening, said floor having a large opening therein disposed below said other chamber and communicating therewith, a perforated floor. panel carried by said oor and covering said iioor open-v ing, said roof having a large opening therein disposed above said other chamber and communicating therewith, a perforated roof panel carried by said roof and covering said roof opening, whereby said three perforated panels named ventilate said other chamber and are arranged to accommodate the ready escape therefrom of fuel and the explosion products thereof in the event of rupture of said fuel tank incident to an explosion of the fuel contained therein, thereby to provide explosion protection to said bay and to said lading compartment, and

` a fire shield arranged in said other chamber in protecting chambe'rand said lading compartment and a wall betweenV said other chamber and said bay.

2. In a railway refrigerator car, substantially box-like wall structure including a floor and a roof and a pair of opposed end walls and a pair of opposed side walls, heatinsulating structure arranged within said wall structure and defining an elongated lading compartment and also a communicating bay disposed at one end of said car, said heat-insulating structure also cooperating with said wall structure to define a pair of chambers also disposed at said one end of said car, said chambers being arranged in the respective corners of said car at said one end thereof and positioned on opposite sides of said bay, the section of said heat-insulating structure constituting a wall between said bay and one of said chambers includ- 7 Y ing a stationary part having a hole therein and a movable plug-like part cooperating with said hole, a movable base normally arranged in supported position in said one chamber and carrying said plug-like part, a refrigerating machine including an evaporator carried by said pluglike part and both a condenser and a compressor carried by said base, said evaporator being arranged in said bay and said plug-like part being arranged in said hole and both said condenser and said compressor being arranged in said one chamber when said base is in its supported position in said one chamber, an internal combustion engine also carried by said base and operatively connected to drive said compressor, said engine also being arranged in said one chamber when said base is in its supported position in said one chamber, the one of said side walls disposed adjacent to said one chamber having a doorway therein affording access into said one chamber, a door carried by said one side wall and cooperating with said doorway, said base being movable into and out of said one chamber through said doorway with said door in its open position and carrying therewith said plug-like part and said refrigerating machine and said engine, means for circulating the storage air from said lading compartment into said bay and over said evaporator and back into said lading compartment when said base is in its supported position in said one chamber, means for circulating outside air into said one chamber and over said condenser and back to the outside when said base is in its supported position in said one chamber, means for supplying outside air to said engine and for discharging exhaust gases therefrom back to the outside when said base is in its supported position in said one chamber, a fuel tank housed in the other of said chambers, a fuel line connecting said fuel tank to supply fuel to said engine, said fuel line including a disconnectible joint accommodating movement of said engine with said base out of said one chamber, the other of said side walls disposed adjacent to said other chamber having a large opening therein communicating with said other chamber, a perforated side panel carried by said other side wall and covering said side opening, said floor having a large opening therein disposed below said other cham ber and communicating therewith, a perforated floor panel carried by said floor and covering said oor opening, said roof having a large opening therein disposed above said other chamber and communicating therewith, and a perforated roof panel carried by said roof and covering said roof opening, whereby said three perforated panels named ventilate said other chamber and are arranged to accommodate the ready escape therefrom of fuel and the explosion products thereof in the event of rupture of said fuel tank incident to an explosion of the fuel contained therein, thereby to provide explosion protection to said bay and to said lading compartment.

3. In a railway refrigerator car, substantially box-like wall structure including a oor and a roof and a pair of opposed end walls and a pair of opposed side walls, heatinsulating structure arranged within said wall structure and defining an elongated lading compartment, said heatinsulating structure also cooperating with said wall struc- Q ture to define a chamber disposed exterior-ly of said'lading compartment and arranged in one end of said car, a refrigerating machine including an evaporator arranged interiorly of said lading compartment and both a condenser and a compressor arranged exteriorly of said lading compartment, means for circulating the storage air in said lading compartment over said evaporator, means for circulating outside air over said condenser, an internal combustion engine arranged exteriorly of said lading cornpartment and operatively connected to drive said cornpressor, means for supplying outside air to said engine and for discharging exhaust gases therefrom back to the outside, a fuel tank housed in said chamber and operatively connected to supply fuel to said engine, one of said side walls being disposed adjacent to said chamber and having a large opening therein communicating with said chamber, a perforated side panel carried by said one side wall and covering said side opening, said floor having a large opening therein disposed below said chamber and communicating therewith, a perforated floor panel carried by said oor and covering said floor opening, said roof having a large opening therein disposed above said chamber and communicating therewith, a perforated roof panel carried by said roof and covering said roof opening, whereby said three perforated panels named ventilate said chamber and are arranged to accommodate the ready escape therefrom of fuel and the explosion products thereof in the event of rupture of said fuel tank incident to an explosion of the fuel contained therein, thereby to provide explosion protection to said lading compartment, and a fire shield arranged in said chamber in protecting relation with the section of said heat-insulating structure constituting a wall between said chamber and said lading compartment.

4. The railway refrigerator car set forth in claim 3, wherein said side opening is substantially commensurate with the area of the outer side of said chamber, said floor opening is substantially commensurate with the area of the bottom of said chamber, and said roof opening is substantially commensurate with the area of the top of said chamber.

5. The railway refrigerator car set forth in claim 3, wherein said side panel is of reticulated structure, and both said floor panel and said roof panel are of grid structure.

6. The railway refrigerator car set forth in claim 3, wherein said oor and said roof and each of said end walls and each of said side walls each comprises an outside sheet formed of steel.

7. The railway refrigerator car set forth in claim 3, wherein said re shield comprises connected slabs of asbestos, or the like.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,630,687 Acton Mar. 10, 1953 2,667,761 Sellstrom Feb. 2, 1954 2,696,086 Jones Dec. 7, 1954. 

